How a Mix of Korean and Western Products Helps Combination Skin

Growing up, I was lucky enough that I didn’t have too many skin problems. I had a few occasional breakouts around the nose, chin, or forehead but it wasn’t a frequent thing. However, I knew I was treating my skin incorrectly whenever I did get the occasional pimple. I didn’t know any better so I would pop them and wait a few minutes before I put concealer on top and just walk out the door. This would result in this never-ending cycle of me popping pimples and having them come back a few days later.

I was first introduced to skin care by my mom who is a skin care fanatic. She used to be in the beauty/spa business so it was no surprise that I received my first face wash and moisturizer at the age of 12. I didn’t know why I was using it, of course. I just did it because my mom told me to.

My skin care remained a 2 step routine until I started watching YouTube videos. My first Korean beauty purchase was actually influenced by YouTuber Jenn Im aka Clothesencounters. She raved about the Banila Co Clean It Zero Balm and how it just melted off all her makeup. This was also when I was introduced to double cleansing which honestly changed my life. After that I became sort of obsessed with trying out new products and experimenting with different types of ingredients for my skin. I wouldn’t say my routine is perfect just yet, but for now, it works for my skin. I have an oily T-zone and dry cheeks, and these products in my skin care routine for combination skin helps keep my pores clean, my skin hydrated, and acne at bay.

When I first started double cleansing I noticed an immediate change. I wasn’t wearing heavy makeup but my everyday cleanser just didn’t get everything off like double cleansing does. I would experience breakouts around my nose, chin, and forehead from clogged pores. Ever since I started using this and following it up with a gentle foam cleanser, my skin has been clear with rare occasional pimples (mostly from stress).

This balm starts off as a solid balm but actually transforms into an oil once it touches your face. The oil in the balm actually melts foundation and waterproof eyeliner right off my face. Whenever I use this balm it doesn’t feel like it’s stripping the natural oils from my face, which is great because I hate having my skin feel tight and dry after a cleanse. It’s a must-have in a skin care routine for combination skin!

The key to double cleansing is to use two different types of cleansers to wash off all the impurities off your face. So after using an oil based cleanser, I follow up with a gentle foam based cleanser like this one from Milk Makeup. It’s nice because it’s very gentle and it also has charcoal in it which will help absorb any gunk I have leftover in my skin. But generally, any gentle everyday cleanser will work for this part of the routine.

Toner or essence is a crucial step after you wash all the makeup and dirt off your face. It’s important to bring the moisture back into your face. In order to avoid having an oily T-zone, I have to keep it hydrated so that it doesn’t produce any excess oils. This toner from La Prairie is just something my mom gave me and it does the simple job of giving back the hydration to my face.

For this step, I often switch it up depending on how my skin is feeling. If I feel like my pores are extra large one day, I’ll use the Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to shrink my pores and reduce any blemishes. But most of the times I use the Erborian Dong Baek Camellia Essence. This little bottle is packed with 73% camellia oil, which will make your skin more elastic, brighter, and smoother. I love this essence because the molecular weight of the oil is almost the same as the skin which allows it to be absorbed quickly. I’m not a big fan of the feeling of oil on my skin, especially during the day, so this is perfect for my skin care routine for combination skin.

Since I have an oily T-zone, I like to keep my skin care routine lighter during the day. This Missha moisturizer is perfect for keeping the oils at bay while still hydrating the dry areas on my cheek. It’s an oil-free moisturizer that enhances moisture retention and controls sebum throughout the day so I don’t have to worry about looking like a greaseball at the end of the day.